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#cristinahodgson

Today i am so very lucky to not only be on the blog tour for this wonderful book but also to have a lovely Q&A session with the lovely Cristina herself……..

Chantelle Rose is a great character, did you base her on someone you know?

This is a good question, I didn’t base Chantelle on anyone I know, she just sort of took over in my mind. To be honest, at the moment, my characters just run a bit wild. I think this could be because in my real life I’m a bit over-organised, slightly too responsible with everything I do. So when I sit down at the keyboard, it’s like someone else takes over and pays no attention to order, routine or responsibility. So though I haven’t based Chantelle on anyone I know personally and though she may come across as a bit scatterbrained and reckless, if I’m honest, perhaps my subconscious self would like me to be a bit more reckless in real life too and grab life by the horns. As they say, the things people really regret in life are the risks they didn’t take.

What are your 5 all time favourite reads?

This is a tricky one. I think I’ll have to go with, and in no particular order.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S Lewis. (Novels like this one made me into a reader at a young age, and from the reader the writer is born).

Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen (I write romance, say no more…)

The White Queen. Philippa Gregory (This novel, as all Philippa Gregory’s historical novels actually makes learning about the Tudor and pre-Tudor period easy and fun. If I’d read them at school, I’m sure I’d have got an A in history).

Gone with the Wind. Margaret Mitchell. (With one of the most famous closing lines…)

Bridget Jones’s Diary. Helen Fielding (My romcom hero).

Did you consider an alternative ending for A little of Chantelle Rose?

The current ending has always been my original ending. I do believe however if my publisher or editor had strongly suggested a change I would have done so. However I think we looking for something different and I have that with this ending. We all want the fairytale, but perhaps we have it without realising it, we have to be happy with who we as well as with whom we are with.

Which books are on your ‘to be read’ pile?

Believe it or not I haven’t read any of Sophie Kinsella’s novels and just recently someone on finishing A little of Chantelle Rose commented that they were reminded of Sophie’s writing style, so one of Sophie’s books is definitely on my must read pile, together with a few from fellow authors at Crooked Cat books.

What advice would you give your16 year old self?

Be patient. Don’t expect things to happen overnight. For dreams to come true, you need to work hard, be consistent and keep focused. Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams and never give up.

How long does it usually take you to write a novel?

It took me 3 months to write A little of Chantelle Rose, but 13 years to actually. get it published, but that’s another story. Now with two young children, the day job and trying to keep sane it would take me around a year to finish another novel.

Will we be seeing more of Chantelle Rose?

I hope so. She still talks to me which is a good sign. Fingers crossed she’ll be back some time next year.

Synopsis

A little of Chantelle Rose

At the age of twenty-four, Chantelle Rose has all a city girl can expect: a tiny bed-sit in South London, a lousy poorly-paid job, a tyrannical boss, and quite a few exes added to an ever-growing list.

Desperate for change, she becomes an extra in a seedy crime film. When that leads to the opportunity of a lifetime – a role to play with a million dollars to win and seemingly nothing to lose – she accepts without thinking twice. After all, what could possibly go wrong? In any event, she´ll earn enough to buy her dream home, set up her own business and never worry about money again.

And what about love? Two men have won her heart: Robbie – sultry, silent, mysterious; and Lionel – Hollywood heart-throb, charm, wealth, adventure.

But who can she trust? Who is bent on scaring her away, and why?

There seems to be more at stake than just her heart. Will a million dollars be worth it?

My review

A little of Chantelle Rose is a perfect holiday beach read. In fact, it’s like a sunbeam within a book, it’s filled with that feel good factor. It is extremely funny, there were moments when I really laughed out loud, much to my partners surprise!

Chantelle becomes a Hollywood star quite by accident. She works in a small coffee shop. An ex sends her a job ad to appear as an extra in a movie, Chantelle is game for anything and applies. 9 Months later she has totally forgotten about her phone call with the nice lady, who she later finds out is a man! until said lady rings her and offers her a part as an extra in a gangsta movie. This small bit part turns into a bit more than she ever suspected. Chantelle is offered a million dollar film contract and so the story begins.

Chantelle Rose definitely has the touch of Miss Congeniality about her, from her transformation from frizzy haired funny girl to svelte, sleek and coiffured Hollywood starlet funny girl! There is a lovely Bermuda love triangle between Chantelle, Robbie, English hunk resembling a diet coke ad model & very famous Lionel, Hollywood superstar.

Chantelle is a sparkling delightful character who I warmed to really quickly. All the characters are very relatable and their personalities develop throughout the plot.

The story has twists and unexpected turns which keeps you turning the pages hungry for more! As well as the story line being great the cover of the book is totally gorgeous and eye catching.

The finale of the story is definitely left open for a sequel which I personally can’t wait for as there are quite a few unanswered questions which will make for a fab part 2!

Cristina Hodgson, mother of two, born in Wimbledon, London, currently lives in southern Spain. Cristina had a long career in sport, reaching national and international level and still actively participates in Triathlon races and enjoys outdoor activities. In her spare time she also enjoys reading and writing. She won a sports scholarship to Boston College. After a period in Boston, she returned to the UK and graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Sports Science.
A LITTLE OF CHANTELLE ROSE is her debut novel and will be released in May 2017. Amazingly, it has nothing to do with running!